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Liberia: Current situation of Gio tribe and its treatment by President Charles Taylor and by the Liberian government (July 2001)

Current information on the situation of Gio tribe and its treatment by President Charles Taylor and by the Liberian government could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

A 1 May 2001 Amnesty International report states the following.

Since 1999, civilians militias, often called "vigilantes" composed of members of the Gio, Mano and Lorma ethnic groups, have been reported to operate alongside the Liberian security forces and to be responsible for human rights abuses. Together with the Mandingos, members of the Krahn ethnic groups, associated with ULIMO-J and Roosevelt Johnson, have been increasingly targeted by Liberian Government forces since the end of 1998.

Citing unidentified observers, a 26 October 2000 report noted that "Taylor's [Liberian President] alleged decision to incite Gio-Manos against Mandingos and other tribes is intended to solidify his grip on the country as he did during the war" (The Perspective 26 Oct. 2000). However, the same report added.

Since the death of [Taylor's] Gio-Vice President Enoch Dogoleas [on 23 June 2000, see LBR37371.E of 11 July 2001], there has been unease within the Gio-Mano community. This incident, along with the NPFL killings of dozens of Nimba and other non-Americo-Liberian political leaders during and after the war, has left the impression that the war was waged for the resurrection of Americo-Liberian rule suspended in 1980 through a military coup. Most prominent actors in the Taylor's government, including himself, in charge of the nerve centers of the economy such as finance and commerce, are Americo-Liberians while Africa-Liberians have resumed their traditional role as security or menial appendages of the political system (The Perspective 26 Oct. 2000).

According to Mondes rebelles, the father of the Liberian President Charles Ghankay Taylor is a descendant of American slaves while his mother is member of Gio ethnic group ( 1999, 303).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Amnesty International (AI). 1 May 2001. Liberia: War in Lofa Country Does Not Justify Killing, Torture and Abdication (AI Index: AFR 34/003/2001). London: Amnesty International. <http://web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/print/AFR340032001?OpenDocument> [Accessed 16 Jul. 2001]

The Perspective [Symrna, Georgia]. 26 October 2000. "Liberia; Government Reportedly Incited Ethnic violence." (AN/NEXIS)

Mondes rebelles. Guerres civiles et Violences politiques [Paris]. 1999. Vol. II. Edited by Jean-Marc Balencie and Arnaud de La Grange. Paris: Éditions Michalon.

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential 2000-2001.

Africa Research Bulletin 2000-2001.

Country Reports 2000. 2001. Electronic Version.

Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent 2001.

IRB databases.

Keesing's Record of World Events. 2000-2001.

LEXIS/NEXIS.

West Africa.

World News Connection (WNC).

Resource Centre country file. Liberia. 2000-2001.

Internet Sites, including:

Amnesty International Online.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) Online.

FIDH.

International Crisis Group (ICG).

Minorities At Risk Project.

MISNA.

Panafrican News Agency (PANA).

Search Engines, including:

Fast.

Google

Lycos.